Iraq: ISIS destroy convent in Mosul

ISIS in Mosul

Yesterday, jihadi militants of the Islamic State, who control the city of Mosul, used explosives to severely damage the convent of the Chaldean Sisters of the Sacred Heart - one of 45 Christian institutions they have captured since June. Previously they were living in the building.

Chaldean sources report that the explosion took place in two phases. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but then the jihadists used more powerful explosives, causing massive damage to the convent, with the intent to eliminate the cross that stands on the place of worship.

Before beginning the destruction, IS warned local inhabitants. Sources suggest the monastery was abandoned because it may have been considered an imminent target of air raids by the US-led anti-Caliphate coalition.

So far the adjacent monastery of St George, belonging to the order of St.Anthony Sant'Ormisda of the Chaldeans has not been damaged.

The convent of the Chaldean Sisters of the Sacred Heart, known as the Convent of Victory was built thanks to a donation of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi President executed on December 30, 2006.

Since taking over Mosul on June 10, Aina News report that ISIS has destroyed, occupied, converted to mosques, converted to ISIS headquarters or shuttered all 45 Christian institutions in Mosul.

The following is the complete list of the Christian institutions in Mosul, grouped by denomination.

Syriac Catholic Church:

Syrian Catholic Diocese - Maidan Neighborhood, Mosul
The Old Church of the Immaculate - Maidan Neighborhood, Mosul (The church goes back to the eighth century AD)
The New Church of the Immaculate - Maidan Neighborhood
Church of Mar (Saint) Toma - Khazraj Neighborhood
Museum of Mar (Saint) Toma - Khazraj Neighborhood
Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation - Muhandiseen Neighborhood
Church of the Virgin of Fatima - Faisaliah Neighborhood
Our Lady of Deliverance Chapel - Shifaa Neighborhood
The House of the Young Sisters of Jesus - Ras Al-Kour Neighborhood
Archbishop's Palace Chapel - Dawasa Neighborhood

Syriac Orthodox Church:

Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese - Shurta Neighborhood
The Antiquarian Church of Saint Ahodeeni - Bab AlJadeed Neighborhood
Mar (Saint) Toma Church and cemetery, (the old Bishopric) - Khazraj Neighborhood
Church of The Immaculate (Castle) - Maidan Neighborhood
Church of The Immaculate - Shifaa Neighborhood
Mar (Saint) Aprim Church - Shurta Neighborhood
St. Joseph Church - The New Mosul Neighborhood

Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East:

Diocese of the Assyrian Church of the East - Noor Neighborhood
Assyrian Church of the East, Dawasa Neighborhood
Church of the Virgin Mary (old rite) - Wihda Neighborhood

Chaldean Church of Babylon:

Chaldean Diocese - Shurta Neighborhood
Miskinta Church - Mayassa Neighborhood
The Antiquarian Church of Shimon alSafa - Mayassa Neighborhood
Church of Mar (Saint) Buthyoon - Shahar AlSouq Neighborhood
Church of St. Ephrem, Wady AlAin Neighborhood
Church of St. Paul - Majmooaa AlThaqafiya District
The Old Church of the Immaculate (with the bombed archdiocese)- Shifaa Neighborhood
Church of the Holy Spirit - Bakir Neighborhood
Church of the Virgin Mary - Drakziliya Neighborhood
Ancient Church of Saint Isaiah and Cemetery - Ras AlKour Neighborhood
Mother of Aid Church - Dawasa Neighborhood
The Antiquarian Church of St. George- Khazraj Neighborhood
St. George Monastery with Cemetery - Arab Neighborhood
Monastery of AlNasir (Victory) - Arab Neighborhood
Convent of the Chaldean Nuns - Mayassa Neighborhood
Monastery of St. Michael - Hawi Church Neighborhood
The Antiquarian Monastery of St. Elijah - Ghazlany Neighborhood

Armenian Orthodox Church:

Armenian Church - Maidan Neighborhood
The New Armenian Church - Wihda Neighborhood

Evangelical Presbyterian Church:

Evangelical Presbyterian Church - Mayassa Neighborhood

Latin Church:

Latin Church and Monastery of the Dominican Fathers and Convent of Katrina Siena Nuns - Sa'a Neighborhood
Convent of the Dominican Sisters, - Mosul AlJadeed Neighborhood
Convent of the Dominican Sisters (AlKilma Monastery) - Majmooaa AlThaqafiya District
House of Qasada AlRasouliya (Apostolic Aim) (Institute of St. John the Beloved)

Cemeteries:

Christian Cemetery in the Ekab Valley which contains a small chapel.

Source: Fides/Aina